Application and evaluation of Pseudomonas strains for biocontrol of wheat seedling blight

Microdochium nivale, the causal agent of snow mould, is a serious pathogen of many important cereal crops. This pathogen, like many related Fusarium species, causes seedling blight, foot rot and head blight diseases of cereals. Four bacterial strains showing good effect in increasing seedling emergence and in reducing disease severity in greenhouse screenings were tested in field experiments. One Pseudomonas fluorescens strain significantly improved plant establishment and harvest yield in infested winter wheat. Plant numbers were increased by up to 48% and yield by 26.5% in different field trials. Significant increases in head numbers were also observed. There was consistent and good plant protection for long periods of the growing seasons. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.